Roisin Murphy @ The Globe Theatre, London

https://youtu.be/en_1uFSqttY and https://youtu.be/B3PmWqp7NUw
First and Foremost, I have a new favourite venue. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on London’s South Bank is it. For those who are standing in the pit, it is open to the elements, but on this clear blue sky of a summer evening it just does not matter. Those sitting in the tired galleries that surround the roofed stage and pit have a modicum of cover above under the circular thatched roof, they have some cover, but the prevailing wind would surely bring any inclement weather onto their laps. Nevertheless, its intimate, The various bars outside of the auditorium (other than the pub) line the external gathering area which overlooks The Thames with St Pauls over on the North Bank opposite. Could there be a better setting, I hardly think so.

So along with Mornington Crescent’s Koko (a winter location) and EOTR’s Garden Stage with its Toucans flying overhead and peacocks strolling around in front of the stage, The Globe now joins that short list. Must look out for more.

So this gig, The Globe’s first ever venture, must be considered to be a notable success. Not only for the fact that it was nearly a rammed full house with the layers of balconies being all full and only the two wing areas to the stage with views restricted to the backsides of the performers left empty but for the performance from Roisin Murphy herself and not to be forgotten, her band..

And the performance?

It started off with a DJ set by Lauren Lerverne, it started off rather tamely but then as the crowd gathered she played out a number of classic 80’s popular disco hits which went down very well with the crowd. Set ended, a very short break, dry ice, some track played, band comes in and opens up with RM coming on in costume.

Whilst possessing Hairless Toys after seeing her on Jools Holland’s ‘Later..’ it had only been heard a track at a time when it came up on random so had a reasonable idea as to what it would sound like as certainy was not disappointed on that front. What I did not expect init is frequency, was the costume changes, she out gaga’d Lady Gaga. Changing, and swapping various items of clothing and masks mid songs, occasionally going back stage to have a full change. I did love the entrance, coming on looking like a cross between Elizabeth I and Margaret Thatcher with a brown leather handbag swinging from her arm. Then there was the construction worker, yellow hi-vis jacket, blue helmet with three flashing LEDs on top and waving around a bunch of yellow plastic ‘do not enter’ site tapes rather like a mass of serpents. And on it went.

Unfortunately for us on our side of the stage she performed mainly to the other side so all the different aides we partially missed out on apart from one notable occasion which I was fortunate to capture on video when literally she towered over and somewhat thrust her crutch region towards me.

So what must have been a two hour set, the gay boys up in the balconies dancing away was amusing given the location, what would the bard have thought about that. RM starting one particular song with the soliloquy ‘To be or not to be’ and there were a number of other Shakespearian references. Amusing to see the various Globe attendants enjoying themselves and dancing along as did all of the audience.

Great. 
Setlist:
Mastermind
Forever More
Dirty Monkey
Dear Miami
Tight Sweater
Tatty Narja
Gone Fishing
Evil Eyes
House of Glass
Ten Miles High
Overpowered
Whatever
Ancora tu
Jealousy
Exploitation

Encore:

Exile
Pure Pleasure Seeker